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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

turtleneck to ruffle neck

I'm often daunted by my daughter's clothing desires. Last year, I worked through my acceptance of pink and purple... even embraced it. This season my work with her seems to be about comfort. Thankfully, I really do understand the need for comfort.

I decided to try something new with a shirt she was never going to wear anyway... it was white, boring, a hand me down from her brother... and for goodness sake, a turtleneck! Turtlenecks are chokey! I had nothing to lose by cutting off the turtle. I left about an inch.Then I gave it lettuce edging to open it up and give it a little ruffle. The stitching was done with a contrasting salmon-pink thread. The comfy new neckline worked so well that I "lettuced" the sleeves and hem, too. I didn't cut these first, just stretched and stitched to create a little curling edge. Here are my instructions for simple lettuce edging with a standard sewing machine. I thought it was very subtle and sweet. Knowing it would still be a bit boring to a five year old girl who prefers fancy, I stamped on some of my new flowers in PINK! It got the seal of approval: hug and kiss!

I had a white turtleneck that was a bit suffocating for me, too. I used the same trick and feel ready for spring, even though it was 25 degrees when I woke up this morning!

38 comments:

Maya, I love everything about it ! Re-using, giving a new life, and with style ! Your stamps go so fantastically well with the new top !!And you look so great too, my friend !! Great job on both transformations !!!! way to go ! oxoxo

I tried a turtleneck conversion once. My daughter doesn't like it, but I put a facing in and I think she finds that itchy. I'll have to try the lettuce leaf edging the next time my mom (who loves turtlenecks) buys her one. Thanks for the idea.

sweet, sweet, sweeti think the dress you made for your daughter using this method a few years ago was the very first post I read on your blog.I hope my memory serves me right.Any how, I love you reworking of the turtlenecks,I am dreaming of contrasting thread projects for spring and summer.

Thanks so much for posting this! My Mom did this lettuce technique to several sweatshirts when I was younger and I loved the look. I have a few t-shirts that are too tight in the neck and I think this would be a great way to fix them. The stamping you did make this plain old shirt so beautiful!

Thank you for this! My 3 year old is boycotting turtlenecks, so a new way to use the shirts was very welcome this week.

One worked nicely, but I screwed up the second, cutting off too much of the neck seam. So, maya*made plus angry chicken (http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2009/07/summer-sweater-thats-really-a-tshirt.html) equals a lettuce-edged cardigan for one psyched little girl!

My daughter also finds turtlenecks chokey. We need a few for bitingly cold days, but the rest are doomed, after reading your post. I used your lettuce edging tutorial the day you posted it, to repair a dress with a snagged hem. Perfect, thank you! What an inspiring blog you have.

Hey Maya, I love this idea and I think your instructions for this edging sound easy enough. The first thing I thought when I saw it was "I need a surger for that" and then I saw your note "...for creating with a regular sewing machine." I am SEW there! Now I just want to go to my local thrift store and get a turtleneck to try this on! Thanks so much for sharing!